DA: South Allentown homicide victim's name incorrect in court records

ID belonging to Sasiain Olivio Hessed was in apartment where Edgardo Fuentes Rosado, 39, was shot to death.

February 05, 2013|By Manuel Gamiz Jr., Of The Morning Call

The name of the man killed in a south Allentown home-invasion robbery Sunday was incorrect in court documents, authorities said Tuesday.

The victim's name is Edgardo Fuentes Rosado and he was 39, officials with the Lehigh County district attorney's office said. The man was identified by another name and age in court records that charged Luis A. Santiago-Nieves, 25, and Jefran Canales-Tapia, 28, both of Allentown, with his death.

Several forms of identification, including a U.S. passport, belonging to Sasiain Olivio Hessed were found in the Emmaus Avenue apartment and police initially identified the victim as Hessed.

Hessed's name was also spelled Sasian in court records.

Police Capt. George Medero said witnesses also told police that Hessed had lived in the apartment at 2496 W. Emmaus Ave., and even identified him as the victim. As the investigation continued, police learned Hessed and Rosado had both lived in the apartment at some point through a sub-leasing arrangement, Medero said.

Police were contacted by Rosado's brother, who positively identified him, Medero said. Police have not talked to Hessed, he said.

"His whereabouts are unknown and no foul play is suspected," he said.

Medero said the victim and Hessed probably knew each other, but aren't related. He said police are still investigating their connection and how Hessed's documents remained in the apartment.

Allentown police were dispatched at 1:04 p.m. Sunday to Rosado's apartment where they found him dead on the kitchen floor. Police found blood splatter and shell casings inside his apartment, according to court records.

Investigators followed a trail of blood and footprints in the snow that led them to a neighboring apartment building, where they found Santiago-Nieves.

He allegedly admitted being at the victim's apartment with Canales-Tapia. Santiago-Nieves told police he held the victim while Canales-Tapia pistol-whipped him. The two men ransacked the apartment, looking for drugs and money, according to court records.

Before leaving, Canales-Tapia shot Rosado several times, Santiago-Nieves told police. He also told police Canales-Tapia injured his hand after pistol-whipping the victim and was bleeding when he fled.

Police followed the blood to Santiago-Nieves' apartment, and later went to Canales-Tapia's apartment on Levan Street. Canales-Tapia was arrested during a traffic stop at 8:30 p.m. Sunday.